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Prevalence of low back pain among health sciences students

  • Original Article • SPINE - EPIDEMIOLOGY
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aim

To determine the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) among health sciences students and to identify the associated factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted among 1163 students from five health sciences colleges during the academic year 2016–2017. Self-administered questionnaire was conducted and included 4 sections: demographic characteristics, risk factors, Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and Oswestry disability questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

Results

Mean age was 20.74 ± (1.59 years). 70.9% of students were female. Lifetime prevalence of LBP was 56.6%, 12-month prevalence 48.8%, and point prevalence 21.2%. Dentistry students had highest lifetime prevalence of LBP (67.6%) with significant p value (<0.001). Male were found to have higher lifetime prevalence compared to female (p ≤ 0.001). Spending more than 10 h on computer or tablet was significantly associated with LBP (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.30–3.70; p = 0.003). Feeling discomfort on bed was associated with LBP (OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.38–2.38; p ≤ 0.001). Uncomfortable college furniture was associated with LBP (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.09–1.79; p = 0.008). Using heavy backpack was found to be associated with LBP (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.01–2.03; p = 0.011). Most of students LBP (90.3%) found to cause minimal disability on Oswestry scale.

Conclusion

This study has shown high prevalence of LBP among future healthcare provider. These risk factors should be well established to minimize the prevalence of LBP among future health sciences students. Dentistry students at higher risk of developing LBP compared to other students.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Hanan Alabdullah for her great effort in data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopedic Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Fahad Abdullah AlShayhan & Munir Saadeddin

Authors
  1. Fahad Abdullah AlShayhan
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  2. Munir Saadeddin
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Correspondence to Fahad Abdullah AlShayhan.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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AlShayhan, F.A., Saadeddin, M. Prevalence of low back pain among health sciences students. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 28, 165–170 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-017-2034-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-017-2034-5

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